Firm blames U.S. for oil spill in bay
The shipping company that owned the Cosco Busan when it struck San Francisco’s Bay Bridge last November has claimed that the resulting oil spill was the government’s fault for licensing a pilot with a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
The counterclaims were contained in Hong Kong-based ship owner Regal Stone Ltd.’s formal response, filed Thursday, to a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit. The suit, filed six months ago, accused the pilot and Regal Stone of violating environmental laws when the ship struck a bridge support in San Francisco Bay, spilling 53,000 gallons of toxic oil.
The counterclaims draw on pilot Capt. John Cota’s past. Among the disclosures is the fact that Cota had a sleep disorder and was taking prescription medication to ward off drowsiness, as well as Valium.
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